Connector plug



Nov; 2; 194a. Q, H, THOMAS 2,452,967

CONNECTOR PLUG Filed Dec. 29, 1944 will J B if% INVENTOR.

- Wm H. 720M463 m z W patented Nov. 2 1948 2,452,967 i CONNECTOR PLUG' IOrrin H. Thomas, Wiiliamsport, Pa. Application December '29, 19h, serialhormones it This invention relates to electrical connector plugs and itconsists in the constructions, ar-

rangements and combinations hereindescribed and claimed. Itis aparticular object of the invention to provide a plug having contactblades embodying a pair of resilient leg or blade members which normallyare divergent with respect to each other, one legbeing fixed and theother free for move! ment to a substantially parallel relation with thefiiied leg, there being spring means for limit ing excessive flexingmovement of the free leg, thereby, insuring a positive and firmcontacting engagement with contacts of asocket when inserted therein.

It is also animportant object of the invention to providea novelconstruction of plug body, enabling ready assembly of the parts as wellas connection of the conductor wires to respective bindingposts of theplug, andalso maintain the spring means in a secure position againstacci dental displacement. l

Additional objects, advantages and features of invention will beapparent from the following description considered in conjunction withthe accompanying drawing, wherein Figure 1 is a vertical section throughthe plug.

Figure 2 isa cross section on the-line 2-2 of Figure 1. i a i i t Figure3 is a cross section on the line 3,--3 of Figure 1.

Figure 4 is a cross sectionon the lined-4 of Figure 1.

Figure 5 is a vertical section on the line 5-5 of Figure 1.

Figure 6 is a perspective view of the contact prongs and spring meansdetached from the plug.

There is illustrated in Figures 1 to 5 an attachment plug Ii), formed ofinsulating material in two vertical sections l I and I2, and as may beseen in Figures 1, 2 and 4, the section I I is formed with a passage l3divided longitudinally by a medial abutment M, the inner end of which istapered and stopping short of the conductor inlet opening l5 a distance.The wall defining the opening [5 is continued downwardly upon oppositesides of the abutment, as at l6, following the general contour of theexterior shape of the section, which is here shown as of substantialbell-shape at the lower part, merging inwardly to form a reduced neck 11and finally terminating in an annular head l8.

A pair of openings 19 are formed in the base 20, positioned at oppositesides of the abutment 14, forming communication with respective pas- 2Claims, (01. 1 73- 3161) sageslt The base at isof substantial thicknessand where, the walls I6 terminate respective shoulders Ziare formedfthelatter functioning foiyrnounting pf respective contact prongs 22, as 5will be described.

Attention is now: invited to Figure 6 of the drawings, wherein theprongs 22 are illustrated, and it will be seen that the prongs are ofidentical construction, consisting of a pair of blades 23 q and 2 4,formed from asingle strip of metalbent intermediate its length, theblades being inv divergent relation to each other, Normally, the

blades ,are oi; equal lengths but the blade 23 is bent at right anglesinwardly of one of its free yends to form a base mounting 25, the latterbeing aperturecl asat 26. Thus, the blade, 24 is of a a lengthgreaterthan the blade 23 so that the l blade 24 will extenda substantialdistance inwardly of the opening i9, when injassembled re- Q lationwithin the plug, and by reason; of the divergency oftheblades, the blade24 willlie against or closely adjacent the Wall of the abutment H5, asmay be seendnqFigure 1.

The abutment I4 is formedwith a pair of slot sameas the openings i9,and: extending in paralelel, relationjto the flat face of the leg 24. Apair of substantially U-shaped spring clips; 28 are employedatconsistingof a bight portion fromg 30% which respective legs 29 are'extended inparallel U relation, the legs being ofia thickness slightly less thanthe width of the slots 2! and oi the same length from the inside of thebight portion of the clips, thus presenting the bight portions outwardlyof the face of the section, by the thickness 45 be apparent thatwhen theprongs are in assembled relation within the sections H and I2, theprongs are securely held against lateral movements.

The sections in and s2 are each provided with 5 a transversely extendedopening 3! adapted to be in registrywhen the sections are in mated oraligned relation, and receive an assembly bolt and nut 32 for securingthe parts together. Preferably the outer ends of the openings arecounter sunk so that the head of the bolt and the nut will Q lie beneaththe outer contour of the sections thus presenting a smooth exteriorsurface.

'In order to assemble the prongs within the plug, it being understoodthat the sections II and [2 are in a disassembled relation, one of theprongs 22 is presented into the openings l9, with the mounting 25presented directly upon the shoulder 2 i, the aperture 26' formed in theshoulder 2|. A, binding'screw 33 is ,now.- positioned.

through openings 2,6and 26 so; as-to partly engage int the base 26. Theother prong is similarly positioned and secured, and in each instance itwill be seen that the blade 24 lies quite close to or contactingrespective sides of the" abut ment l4.

The conductor 34 is now laid within the opening -l-respective sides ofsaid abutment, a pair of spring clips, oneof which is mounted on eachside of said abutment having a portion adapted to overlie re- I5,respective leads 35 being secured to respective binding screws 33, thelatter being tightenedtq,

secure the leads 35. It isnow only necessary to securethe blade 24against excessive fiexure towardthe blade 23 and, this is accomplishedby insertin'g one leg 29of the clip into the slot 21, the other; leg 29being disposed about'the blade 24 tending tohold' the blade against'theabutment M. The other clip is similarly engaged. The sec.- tion I2 isnow aligned with the section ll, the apertures 3| being in registrationwhen the recesses 30 are in snug seating engagement upon the biglitportions of the clips. The bolt 32 is mserted through the apertures '3iand secured by means of a nut.

A plug constructed as shown and described'will insure a'positive andfirm grip within-a wall receptacle-or other similar fitting by reason ofthe fact that the contact blades'23 and 24 are maintained againstexcessive flexure toward each other, yet by the inherent resilience ofthe blades and the clips, the prongs may be readily inserted inappropriate electrical fixtures.

While I' haveshown and specifically described preferred forms of theplug, this is by way 'of illustration only; and'I consider as my own allsuch sp ective terminal ends of said blades, said other section havingrecessed portions complemental to T a portion of said spring clipmembers and said sections. ,being provided with transverse aligned"openings and an assembly bolt engaged therea portion; of a plug body,anda separate spring" clip member having a pair of integral parallel legmembers,-one of which overlies said dast nar'ned blade member adjacentthe free'end-and the other modifications in construction as fairly-fallwithin body member. of insulatingmaterial consistingof' two separablesections, said sections havinga con ductor; inlet and oneauof saidsections having-an interior: passage; .an 7 abutment :on' said sectionextendedy inwardly, upon said passage; andistoppingr 'Numb'er Name 7Date 138982359 Gi1beit" 19495521, 1933* 1,979,953 Clark, JIT NOV;6, 1934"' 296834-86 Gilbert"; Jan;19'; 1937 2,059,375 Liane-:0; Feb; 2; 19372;'123;309* McKee July"=l2,-1938- 2,126'fl94 Mea l'rS Ange-$19382;1'80}569 Wall's NOV. 21, 1939 252311038 Thomas Feb." 11; 19412,260,509 Chirelstein Oct. 28,1941 2,406,154 Medlin' Aug. 20-1946 legmem'ber being adapted to be engaged-in a portion of aplug body adjacentsaid free end? ORRIN H. THOMAS.

REFERENCES CITED. 'lfhejfollowing references aref'of'recordf inf tlie,file bffthispatent:

7 l UNITEDi-STA'IKESrBATEN'IlS l

